BBC Radio 4 is set to launch an engaging new weekly series titled “Best Medicine,” hosted by Kiri Pritchard-McLean. The show, which premieres on Tuesday, October 3rd, at 6.30 pm, will challenge a diverse range of guests to advocate for what they consider to be ‘the best medicine.’ Through enlightening discussions, the series will delve into an extensive spectrum of answers, from groundbreaking scientific advancements to obscure inventions, everyday remedies, inspirational perspectives, forgotten historical heroes, and even futuristic cures. Notably, the show will also feature real-life accounts from individuals whose lives have been profoundly impacted by remarkable medical breakthroughs.
Across its episodes, “Best Medicine” will explore an eclectic array of medical topics, such as micro-robotic surgery, virtual reality syringes, Victorian-era clockwork surgical saws, innovative cancer treatments, pioneering heart surgeries, epidurals, therapy, dance, faith, and laughter. The series aims to broaden the audience’s understanding of what medicine encompasses and the profound human implications it holds.
The inaugural episode, which secured the series commission, will include contributions from medical historian Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris, comedian Darren Harriott, biomedical engineer Professor Eleanor Stride, and brain surgeon Professor Mark Wilson. They will discuss various topics, from a World War I surgeon’s transformative work on wounded soldiers’ faces to the therapeutic power of dancing and the fantastical realm of cancer-curing microbubbles. Additionally, the show will recount a remarkable tale of a life saved by a phone app that connects users with first-aiders.
Future highlights of the series include exploring the reprogramming of herpes viruses to combat cancer, the significance of touch as demonstrated by virtual injections, and the extraordinary story of Henrietta Lacks, whose ‘immortal’ cells have played a pivotal role in medical research. A special episode coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness month will delve into breast cancer treatments, featuring radiobiologist Dr. Samantha Terry, historian Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris, comedian Jordan Gray, and Sarah Kerruish, who will unveil the diagnostic capabilities of the MIA algorithm in breast cancer detection.
Listeners can tune in to “Best Medicine” weekly on Radio 4 and access episodes on BBC Sounds. Julia McKenzie, Radio 4 Commissioning Editor for Comedy, expressed excitement about the series, describing it as “brilliant at uncovering extraordinary eyebrow-raising facts and stories from the world of medicine in a very entertaining and funny way.” Meanwhile, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, the show’s host, expressed her enthusiasm for sharing the program with audiences, describing it as “fascinating, hilarious, horizon-expanding, and full of heart.”
“Best Medicine” is produced by Ben Worsfield and is a Large Time production for BBC Radio 4.
